TBILISI -- Dozens of inmates serving life sentences in Georgian prisons have started a hunger protest to demand amendments to the country's 2012 amnesty law.

Georgia's Ministry for Corrections said on May 18 that 42 inmates in Gldani prison near Tbilisi were demanding that the amnesty law be changed so that those facing life in prison can have their sentences reduced along with other inmates.

According to the ministry, all those taking part in the hunger strike were being monitored by prison staff.

The law on amnesty, adopted by Georgia's parliament in 2012, reduced the prison sentences of inmates by 25 percent.

But the language of the amnesty law does not allow for reduced sentences for those imprisoned for life.